5 Keys to Organization and Time Management: Advice from Frank Buck Consulting, Inc.

~5 Keys to Organization and Time Management~ From Frank Buck Consulting, Inc.  FrankBuck.blogspot.com FrankBuck.org         Benefits include the following: ·         Be better organized ·         More effectively manage your time ·         Experience more productivity and joy in the moment.

#1:  Your Signature Tool  (digital or paper) – ·         Write down everything as soon as it occurs to you. ·         Write it down in one place. ·         “To-Do” list tasks should be worded clearly (easier to do) and grouped with LIKE tasks (because they get done more quickly). ·         Put “Fab Five” at top of list (5 most important things to get done).

#2:  Repeating Tasks – Education is cyclic. ·         Jot down repeating tasks on index cards and put them in your tickler file. ·         List all tasks, organized by month. ·         Organize digitally and mark repeating task function.

#3:  Drowning in the Flood or Surfing the Wave? – ·         Along with a digital system, keep a paper journal for daily documentation.  The right-hand page serves as a handy place for notes you take during all phone calls, meetings, and different events/interactions.  It becomes a permanent record if you need to look back at it a month or year from now.  ·         At the end of the day, you can review your written documentation and place “to-dos” in your digital system.

#4:  Handling Multiple Projects – ·         Like juggler, have to know how many projects (or balls) we have, the position of each one, and give each attention on a regular basis. ·         Have a page for each project in the back of the paper planner or create a task in Outlook. ·         For each project, (1) know the GOAL (2) know at what point it will be COMPLETED (3) know what the next step toward completion is.  Keep NEXT STEP on the “to-do” list.

#5:  Technology as a Friend  - ·         Think of  “My Documents” as a metal filing cabinet. ·         Create parallel set of “My Documents” files as in your metal filing cabinet. ·         Back up “My Documents” monthly.  Back up “Fingertip” and “Current Projects” files weekly. ·         Have “Memos and Letters” folder in “My Documents” for permanent record of correspondence you send. ·         Keep “Monthly Ticklers” folder in “My Documents.” ·         Have  a personal home page. (like a dashboard of commonly-needed info; igHome is great alternative for iGoogle, which is “going away” July 1, 2013.)

Pinterest Resources on Time Management and Productivity

Time management and productivity are goals for all educators:  those in administrative and counseling positions, as well as classroom teachers.  Check out the following link for a Pinterest collection of time management and productivity resources. 

http://pinterest.com/marthalacroix/time-management-productivity-tips/pins/

Collaborative Work on District Counseling & Guidance Plan Revision

Our April 24, 2013, district-wide meeting was productive.  Please find below our collaborative work toward revision of the vision, mission, and goals for our district counseling and guidance plan.  Please contact me if you have any concerns.  I plan to share these revisions with our district advisory committee on May 16.

Jasper City Schools

Guidance and Counseling Plan Revision

Collaborative Work from District Meeting – 4.24.13

Vision Statement

Students in the Jasper City Schools will achieve at their maximum potential, prepared to face the challenges and high expectations of the 21^st century.  All students will participate in a rigorous curriculum and diverse opportunities for self-directed personal growth, supported by a comprehensive school counseling program that facilitates strategic partnerships between school, family, and community.  As thriving, lifelong learners and productive citizens, JCS students will make a positive impact in our schools and community.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Jasper City Schools counseling program is to offer all students a comprehensive school counseling experience centered around an engaging curriculum that supports the highest level of student achievement through growth in academic, career, and personal/social domains.  Through collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents, and a supportive community, school counselors will help all students to become successful, lifelong learners.

Beliefs

1.        Each student has the opportunity to achieve at the highest level of his/her potential and reach advanced levels of college, career, and workforce readiness.
2.       A comprehensive counseling program best meets student developmental needs.
3.       School counselors must be leaders, advocates, and collaborators who create equitable access to rigorous curriculum and opportunities for self-directed personal growth for all students.
4.       Student achievement is maximized when students take part in a comprehensive school counseling program that is planned, managed, delivered and evaluated by certified school counselors.
5.       Data should be analyzed and used to identify goals to guide the development of a comprehensive school counseling program that promotes student achievement.
6.       Applying the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors empowers school counselors to base decisions on the highest moral principles and to promote the maximum development of every student.

Preparation for District Advisory Council Meeting/Moving Toward a Close for 2013-2014

Good afternoon!  Please remember that our district Guidance and Counseling Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 3:00 in the Maddox Middle School Library.  In preparing for that meeting, please focus slides on your school goals for the year.  I will present documentation regarding system goals.  For your convenience, school and system goals are listed below.

2012-2013 Guidance and Counseling Goals

Walker High School

·         Continue to create career awareness through the College Access Challenge Grant by providing opportunities for career exploration both through the classroom and guidance office.

·         Create a college-going atmosphere at WHS through additional opportunities provided by the Alabama Access to Higher Education Grant.

·         Continue to make communication with parents regarding college and career education at WHS a priority.

·         Implement new technology through the use of iPads in guidance with students.

Maddox Middle School

·         Disseminate to faculty/staff pertinent information regarding chronic emotional needs of middle schoolers.

·         Continue to advise and encourage acceptable use of technology to students.

·         Participate in reviewing/revising JCS policies and procedures to comply with updated ACA and SDE Comprehensive Counseling Standards.

West Jasper Elementary

·         Concentrate guidance activities on anti-bullying and proper peer relations.

·         Develop small groups aiming at attendance, academic, and peer relationships.

T.R. Simmons Elementary

·         Incorporate the 7 Habits into the guidance and counseling program.

·         Facilitate a small friendship group for boys (BOY CODE).

·         Facilitate a small friendship group for girls (GIRL CODE).

·         Increase communication with parents by making a school-wide newsletter every 9 weeks.

Memorial Park Elementary

·         Increase individual and small group counseling.

·         Incorporate technology for grades 1-5 into classroom guidance, supporting the school system movement toward the use of computers, using iPads and iPods to expand availability of resources and learning tools.

JASPER CITY SCHOOLS

Counseling and Guidance

2012-2013 System Goals

                                                                        

• Expand student access to guidance and counseling resources through utilization of technology provided through the JCS iPad and iPod initiatives.

• Expand and update resources for individual and group guidance.

• Utilize grants and state-provided opportunities to expand parent and student awareness of college and career readiness.

• Begin examination of updated American School Counseling Association guidelines and implications for revision of JCS Guidance and Counseling Plan.

I look forward to seeing you at our meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 3:00 in the Maddox Middle School Library.  Until then, I leave you with words from Carl Sandburg:

"Time is the coin of your life.  It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.  Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."